Since the 1970s, Japan has been highly regarded in the Middle Eastern world due to its innovative technologies and the industrial boom, which led to exports that graced the global market like never before. Adjacent to such developments, Japanese cartoons, known as anime, have equally spread, captivating countless numbers of children across the Arab world in their wacky and educational adventures.
These wonderful shows served as the foundation of childhood dreams, fostering an ardent desire to learn more about the country that produced them. Such values stayed in the hearts of the Arab world through childhood and into adulthood, bolstering many to venture to Japan. In recent years, the blending of both factors led to the rise of a new type of tourism known as “anime tourism”, which entails the act of visiting real-life locations that inspired the characters children grew up with.
The Arab world was no exception, with many adults exploring such locations to relive their childhood memories. In return, the emergence of this trend has encouraged local governments and organizations to collaborate in creating creative endeavors that draw tourists to locales that stretch beyond the famous capital of Tokyo.
Morioka City is one such place. Located in the beautiful mountainous region of Iwate, Morioka is famous for its delicious soba dishes and for being a major tourist attraction to anime lovers of the series “March Comes in Like a Lion” by renowned author Chica Umino. Tourists visit the Nanshoso Gardens in Morioka as a homage to the series. The gardens, a registered cultural property, were built in 1885, originally serving as a traditional home that blends traditional Japanese architecture with Western influences.
The hit movie “March Comes in Like a Lion” filmed one of its pivotal scenes in the Nanshosho Gardens, and such collaboration is honored through the myriad of posters and books surrounding the series that are displayed around the dwelling. Nanshoso also offers delicious Japanese sweets, known as wagashi, alongside their famous apple juice, which is a cultural delicacy of Morioka. This makes the gardens a special place for a peaceful, relaxing afternoon amongst traditional Japanese aesthetics.
A short distance from the Nanshoso Gardens lies Shirasawa Senbeiten, a famous Japanese cracker shop that has been welcoming customers for ninety years since its founding. This traditional store also features its own touch of anime, collaborating with various anime series and providing an interesting approach to modern entertainment that earned it critical acclaim amongst customers from near and far.
This blend of tradition and modernity is not limited to only food, however. In Ishikawa Prefecture, the city of Kanazawa has actively collaborated with the original anime “Hanasaku Iroha”. In the anime, the main character is sent from Tokyo to live in Kanazawa, a prefecture well known for its traditional hot springs. In fact, the TV series itself was inspired by Kanazawa, the city known for its world-famous traditional arts, including gold leaf craftsmanship. Fans flock from far and wide to visit the Yuwaku Onsen resort in the mountains of Kanazawa, which served as the main setting for the hit anime. Particularly, visitors arrive in the month of June to attend the annual traditional festival, which collaborates with “Hanasaku Iroha”. The traditional inn “Oyado Yamashita Ryokan” is one of the most popular spots to enjoy the festival, offering both a traditional Japanese hot springs experience alongside a modern spin featuring anime and delicious local fish, for which the resort is famous.
In Toyama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, Takaoka City has become a destination that attracts tourists from the Arab world. The city is famous for being the hometown of Doraemon, the blue robotic cat from outer space who gained massive popularity in the Middle East during the eighties. In Takaoka, even the city buses are all blue and feature the pink doors that represent Doraemon’s door, which he uses on his many adventures with the main cast. There is also the Fujiko F Fujio Hometown Art Gallery, a museum that houses never before seen Doraemon memorabilia that reflects the popularity of this beloved anime.
Near Tokaoka, we head to the city of Himi, which features the character Sunbul from the series “The Adventures of Sunbul” that graced many Arabian households in the eighties. Sunbul and his friends decorate the streets of the city, providing a unique photo shooting experience. The Himi City Shiokaze Gallery offers a unique interactive experience with the world of Sunbul’s creator and his many beloved series. Local residents have expressed their earnest appreciation towards the Arab world for their enduring love for Sunbul, showcasing how animation can bridge two different cultures through their magical worlds.
Japan is a country where tradition and modernity evolve hand-in-hand, offering a fresh experience that continues to draw ardent fans from around the world. The recent popular rise of anime tourism and Japan’s continued dedication to offering unique and educational activities that blend entertainment and tradition have certainly attracted foreign guests, inviting them to enjoy a unique world of traditional arts and modern popular culture.
For more information about anime tourism from the Arab world, check out Safir Anime. www.safiranime.com